Spool tension coupling, system and method
AssigneeThe University of Sheffield
InventorsChris SCRAGGS, Adrian HIRST, John CARMICHAEL, James Edward Ramon LINDSAY
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Abstract
A spool tension system is disclosed for a spooled multi-line elongate carrier connected between a ground vehicle and a spooling apparatus, in order to connect the ground vehicle to services. A terminal of the ground vehicle is coupled to one end of the elongate carrier via a sensing arrangement which is arranged to provide a signal indicating tension at the end of the elongate carrier. The spooling apparatus is arranged to spool the elongate carrier in response to the signal, such that the tension in the elongate carrier is regulated during movement of the ground vehicle.
Claims20
A spool tension coupling for coupling a ground vehicle to receive multiple services via an elongate carrier, the elongate carrier extending from a spooling apparatus arranged to spool the elongate carrier, the coupling comprising:
- a terminal arranged for coupling to an end of the elongate carrier;
- and
- a sensor coupled to the terminal and arranged to provide a signal indicating tension at the end of the elongate carrier,
- wherein in use the signal is used to control the spooling of the spool apparatus in order to regulate the tension at the end of the elongate carrier.
A spooling apparatus for providing multiple services via an elongate carrier to a ground vehicle, the spooling apparatus being arranged to spool the elongate carrier in response to a received signal,
- wherein the received signal indicates changes in tension at an end of the elongate carrier coupled to the ground vehicle, such that the spooling apparatus regulates tension in the elongate carrier between the spooling apparatus and the ground vehicle.
A spool tensioning system, comprising:
- an elongate carrier;
- a spooling apparatus arranged to spool the elongate carrier in response to a signal;
- and,
- a ground vehicle coupled to an end of the elongate carrier to receive multiple services via the elongate carrier, the ground vehicle including a sensor arranged to provide the signal in response to changes in tension at the end of the elongate carrier,
- wherein during movement of the ground vehicle, spooling of the elongate carrier regulates tension in the elongate carrier.
A tensioning method for tensioning an elongate carrier coupled to provide multiple services to a ground vehicle, the method comprising:
- measuring tension at an end of the elongate carrier coupled to the ground vehicle;
- and
- controlling winding of a spooling apparatus from which the elongate carrier is spooled in response to the measured tension at the end of the elongate carrier,
- wherein the tension in the elongate carrier is regulated during movement of the vehicle.
A controller for controlling spooling of an elongate carrier coupled between a spooling apparatus and a ground vehicle;
- the controller comprising:
- an input for receiving an input signal from the ground vehicle, the input signal indicating tension in the elongate carrier measured at the ground vehicle;
- a memory containing an algorithm arranged to derive a control signal based on the input signal;
- a processor arranged to process the algorithm;
- and
- an output for providing a control signal for controlling spooling of the spooling apparatus,
- wherein during movement of the ground vehicle, the controller regulates spooling of the elongate carrier via the control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.